Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has returned to Brazil signing for Vasco de Gama.
The 32-year-old returns to his homeland on a temporary basis as he faces another loan spell away from Aston Villa. Former Reds captain Steven Gerrard brought Coutinho to Villa Park, in a return to the Premier League after leaving for Barcelona in 2018, however his form dipped and he moved to Al-Duhail in Qatar.
He joins the Brazilian Serie A side on a season-long loan just six years after his club-record Liverpool departure. Coutinho’s time on Merseyside came to an end after he was prized away from Anfield by the Spanish giants.
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Injuries ravaged his time at the Camp Nou but he found form at Bayern Munich, winning the Champions League, then joining Aston Villa on an initial loan before making his move permanent. It has been reported that Coutinho has two years remaining on his contract but the 2024-25 season will be spent in Brazil returning to his boyhood club.
He wrote on Instagram: “GRATITUDE. More than special day for me and my family, reunion with this fan and a stadium that have always been part of my life.
“THANK YOU VERY MUCH to everyone for the affection, the care and the unforgettable day. Not in my wildest dreams could I imagine such a party ride.
“May GOD bless us on our journey and may we celebrate many things together.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is currently on international duty with England at Euro 2024, sent his former Liverpool teammate a message as he returned to Brazil for the first time in 14 years. He said: “Hi Phil, it’s Trent here I just wanted to say all the best and good luck for your new journey and challenge. I know you’ll smash it, all the best my friend.”
Coutinho joined Inter Milan from Vasco de Gama after spending two years on loan back in Brazil before making the move to Serie A. He earned a move to the Premier League in 2013, where he spent five years at Liverpool, scoring 41 goals in 152 appearances but he left during the early stages of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure.
Prior to his move to La Liga, Klopp warned Coutinho against moving from Liverpool and losing the chance to become an Anfield icon. In January 2018, he said: “Stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour.
“Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more.”